Typewriter comprising improved keyboard and associated printing means



Nov. 2, 1965 N. ZANABONI 3,215,245

TYPEWRITER COMPRISING IMPROVED KEYBOARD AND ASSOCIATED PRINTING MEANS Filed Dec. 10, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR A/m/a Z4M45-0M/ imapmw m TIORNEYS Nov. 2, 1965 N. ZANABONI 3,215,246

TYPEWRITER COMPRISING IMPROVED KEYBOARD AND ASSOCIATED PRINTING MEANS Filed Dec. 10, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A/m/o Z4/vfl50u/ ii/M ORNEYS N. ZANABONI 3,215,246 TYPEWRITER COM RISING IMPROVED KEYBOARD Nov. 2, 1965 AND ASSOCIATED PRINTING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 10, 1962 INVENTOR A/M/O ZA/V/480/V/ Nov. 2, 1965 TYPEWRITER COMPRISING IMPROVED KEYBOARD Filed Dec. 10, 1962 I (I) l b (A N x 7m: N 0"? U1 1 0 -o :1 3 ":TU'Q -1-: Q- 0 0* s: o

[IIUUU UUIEID UUUIU UDEIUI IIEIUU IUIUU IUUIU IEIUUI UIIUU UIUIU IJIUUI UUIIU 'UUIUI UUUII IIIUU IIUID IIUUI IUIII] IUIEII IUUII [IIIIU UIIDI UIUII UUIII UIIII IUIII IIUII IIIUI IIIIU IIIII AND ASSOCIATED PRINTING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR /l///v0 ZAM/AIBO/V/ ORNEYS Nov. 2, 1965 N. ZANABONI TYPEWRITER COMPRISING IMPROVED KEYBOARD AND ASSOCIATED PRINTING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 10, 1962 INVENTOR A/m/o ZA/VAEO/V/ S O 0 \N MQ Z y D 0 0 0 0 B a o w a IQ QWMT ymfimw m ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,215,246 TYPEWRITER COMPRISING IMPROVED KEYBOARD AND ASSOCIATED PRINT- ING MEANS Nino Zanaboni, via Ariberto 24, Milan, Italy Filed Dec. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 243,441 Claims priority, application Italy, Dec. 12, 1961, 22,529/61, Patent 686,708 11 Claims. (Cl. 197-11) The present invention relates to a typewriting machine and more particularly to one which is lightweight and a portable typewriter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a typewriting machine having a keyboard comprising a smaller number of keys than the symbols printed by depressing or operating the keys.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lightweight typewriter having a minimum number of keys for printing a maximum number of symbols or indicia on printed paper so that the typewriter may be operated by one hand of the operator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a light portable typewriter that does not require visual control and a typing system easy to learn which can be used in any condition whatsoever, as when a person is travelling in an air flight, in a train or car, when walking, reclining in an arm chair or lying in bed, etc. It can also be used in darkness.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable typewriter having finger keys that can be operated singly or in any combination with each other so that the operation of a single key or the operation of various combinations of keys will actuate selector means and stopping means and a symbol component means so that a different symbol will be moved into a predetermined position for printing upon a roll of paper for each different key or combination of keys pressed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable typewriter in which the number of keys provided are smaller than the number of symbols that can be typed or printed with the machine, with a plurality of selector disk means and stopping means so that the symbol to be printed is first selected and thereafter a symbol component means is displaced angularly on a predetermined position to enable the printing of the symbol selected.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable typewriter machine having a symbol component means that can be rotated or spaced a predetermined distance and axially moved a predetermined distance so that different symbols may be printed on paper by use of a single symbol component member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a typewriter having finger keys of less number than the symbols carried by a single symbol holder component movable with respect to a roll of paper on which the symbols are printed and which symbol holder component is connected to selector components each of which is timed with respect to the others so that operation of one or more of the keys singly or simultaneously determines the arrangement of the selector components with respect to each other and thereby controls a stopping component means which determines the rotational position of the symbol holder component with respect to the paper roll which is then pressed against the symbol holder component.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a typewriting machine having 5 finger keys thereon so that 31 different signs, indicia or symbols can be printed depending upon the operation of the keys, either separately or simultaneously, and in which diiierent possible combinations of keys can be operated, such as 5 diiierent symbols being printed through the single operation of one finger key at a time; 10 symbols through the operation of 2 keys, or 10 symbols through the operation of 3 keys or 5 symbols through the operation of 4 keys at the same time, and one symbol through the operation of 5 keys simultaneously.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of the typewriting machine;

FIGURE 2 represents the mechanism serving to rotate FIGURE 9 is the plane development of a part of the shaped discs; and

FIGURE 10 represents schematically the correspondence between pressed finger-keys and symbols imprinted on the paper.

Referring to FIGURE 2 the casing 1 of the type-writing machine of the present invention, is provided with a pivoting shaft 2 journalled thereto on which is rotatably mounted an idler gearwheel 3 rotated or driven by any well known driving means, as for example an electric motor, not shown. A pulley 4 fixed to shaft 2 adjacent gear wheel 3 is rotatably driven by gearwheel 3 by means of a clutch of a conventional type only shown partially in FIGURE 2. FIGURE 2 illustrates a stud member or bar 5 which can move into a groove 6 disposed in pulley 4 in such a manner that when bar 5 abuts rod means two arms 8 which in turn are pivotally disposed on a shaft 9 fixed to casing 1.

The machine is provided with finger-keys 10a, ltib, 10c, 10d, 10a having levers 11 pivotally disposed on fixed shaft 9 and provided at their outer ends with projections or protrusions 12 placed under rod 7. Therefore, when' Patented Nov. 2, 1965 any of the finger-keys is pressed downwardly, rod 7 is lifted, thus causing the rotation of shaft 2 since bar 5 clears rod 7 in its raised position. Each finger-key returns to its initial position by means of spring members which are not shown in the figure, once the manoeuvre ceases, and therefore rod 7 resumes its lowered position. Thus stud 5 interferes with rod 7 to disconnect the clutch and stop rotation of shaft 2, while the driving means continuously rotates gearwheel 3. This cycle is repeated each time a finger-key is pressed and released.

In case one or more keys are pressed before stud 5 is in the position where it would interfere with rod 7, the said rod 7 being lifted, there would be a Second rotation of shaft 2.

Each lever 11 is provided at its inner end or other end with a small elastic wire steel rod 13, provided with a small roller 14 on the end engaged in the U shape fork 15 of a lever 16. For clarity in the illustration shown in FIGURE 2 only one key a has been connected with the lever-members described above, although all that has been described applies equally as well for the other keys shown in the figure. Therefore as there are five keys, their number having been chosen as a mere example, there will be as many projections or protrusions 12 suitable for moving rod 7 and as many fork levers 16 side by side as there are keys.

Levers 16 are connected respectively with keys 10a, 19b, 10c, 10d, 10c and have their other ends fitted in discs or selecting members 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 172 having a cylindrical contour formed of a succession of alternating notches 18 and protrusions 19 in the peripheral circumference thereof. Further on, in the description, the reference numbers 18 will be marked by indices and letters so as to indicate the different notches of each single disc. The discs 17 are idly mounted on a shaft 20 journalled or pivotally connected to casing 1 of the machine. Thus when pressing on a key the respective disc connected therewith is displaced a certain angular distance or rotation about shaft 20. Disposed completely around the circumferential edges of the discs, and at a certain distance from them, are supports 21 fulcrumed by pivot member 22 fixed to casing 1 or to a part of the machine. Supports 21 are provided with elongated arms 23 which are in turn connected to small hammers 24, 24', 24" etc. which can move in a radial direction away from the axis of a gearwheel 25. Springs constantly urge the hammers toward the gearwheel 25. Gearwheel 25 is disposed for oscillation around shaft 21) on which it is idly mounted. This movement of 25 is transmitted by a cam 26 keyed on shaft 2 in contact with a roller 27, fitted to one end of a lever 28, which pivots around the fixed shaft 9. The other end of lever 28 is pivotally connected by pivot pin 29 on gearwheel 25 and pivots, eccentrically with respect to the centre line or axis. The wheel 25 is thus submitted to angular oscillations in order that each one of its teeth 25' moves a corresponding small hammer 24, 24', 24" etc. in contact with the wheel radially outwardly. Notches 18 and projections or protrusions 19 of the various discs 17a, 17b, 170 etc. are disposed in a manner so that with any pressing or manoeuvre of the keys downwardly either singularly, or simultaneously with any combination of keys, there is only one corresponding position and one corresponding angular movement of the disc or discs connected to the key or keys pressed, on the whole circumference of the discs 17 in which notches 18 are lined up, to form a continuous groove. Therefore, of all hammers 24, 24', 24" which are free to move toward the centre during the second part of the oscillation of the wheel 25, only one hammer enters the continuous groove formed by the lined up notches 18 of discs 17a, 17b, etc. while all the other hammers will be prevented from doing so since they will be stopped in their descending movement by one or more of the protrusions 19 which are lined up parallel to the rotational axis of the discs.

On the same shaft 20 is a key or protrusion 20' on which a disc 30 is slidably disposed axially of shaft 20 and which disc 30 carries at convenient distances on its cylindrical surface the symbols (letters, numbers, etc.) which are to be impressed on the paper.

On shaft 20 lever or stop member 31 is fixedly connected. The number of hammers 24, 24', 24" etc. and the number of teeth 25" provided are equal to the number of symbols borne by disc 30 and the number of hammers and teeth is equal to the number of finger-keys provided plus the number of possible combinations of finger-keys that can press simultaneously. The lever 31 is of such a length that when the lever rotates with shaft 20, it will not interfere with the small hammers disposed in a position radially away from the centre, but will interfere only with the particular hammer lowered and disposed in the lined-up notches 18. Therefore, for each single hammer 24, 24 etc. there is a corresponding symbol on disc 30, which corresponds to lever 31 stopping against the respective corresponding hammer and to disc 30 stopping in a predetermined angular position.

The means which cause rotation of disc 31) and lever 31, are a cam 32 fitted or fixed to shaft 2, in contact with a roller 33 fixed to one end of a lever 34 fulcrumed to the fixed shaft 9 and provided at the other end with gear sector or member 35. The sector 35 meshes with a pinion 36 idly mounted on shaft 20 and secured to shaft 20 by means of unidirectional connection 37, partially shown in FIGURE 2 and being of a conventional type. During its own oscillation, gear sector 35 transmits motion to shaft 20 and then to disc 30, in the direction of the arrow A, during its downward movement as shown by arrow B, while when oscillating in the opposite direction it transmits no motion to disc 30.

Another cam 38 fixed to shaft 2 and conveniently timed with respect to cam 32 is in contact with roller 39 on one end of a lever 40 idly fulcrumed on fixed shaft 9 and having its other end provided with a bent member or stop clamp 41. On shaft 20 and in correspondence to clamp 41 is keyed a wheel 42 provided with a number of teeth equal to that of wheel 25. The lever 40 during a complete revolution of shaft 2, makes one oscillation and thus its bent part 41 frees and stops one tooth of wheel 42. Spring 43 fitted at one end to lever 34 and at the other end to casing 1 pulls downwardly in the direction of arrow B, sector 35 which is moved upwardly by the rotation of cam 32. Similarly spring 44 secured at one end to lever 40 and at the other end to casing 1 draws downwardly clamp 41 which moves upwardly during the rotation of cam 38. Therefore, as described above, the rotation of shaft 20 and thus of symbol-holder disc 30 is caused by the action of spring 43, and this rotation is made possible when clamp 41 is not engaged in any of the teeth of wheel 42.

FIGURE 9 shows the projection on a plane surface of part of discs 17a, 17b etc. Where, for the sake of clarity, notches 18 are represented by a small rectangle with a dot, while protrusions 19 are simply marked by a rec tangle. By means of this schematic illustration it is easier to understand how the machine members described up to now are operating. By pressing on finger-key 10a, if we assume that the different discs are in their own positions as shown in FIGURE 9, shaft 7 raises, shaft 2 starts rotating and consequently to an oscillation of wheel 25 around shaft 20 corresponds a rotation downwards of a certain angle of lever 16 jointly with disc 17a in a manner such that the notch 18a of disc 17a goes side by side with notches 18b, 18c, of discs 17b, 17c already lined up. The first part of the oscillation of wheel 25 causes all the small hammers 24, 24' 24"- etc. to rise while the return to the initial position allows these to lower on the wheel 25 and allows only one, in this instance, hammer 24, to set into the groove formed from notches 18a, 18b, set side by side.

Simultaneously to the said movements. shaft 20 and therefore disc 30 moves a certain predetermined angle in the direction of arrow A, in FIGURE 2 consequently to clamp 41 rising and to the lowering according to arrow B of the gear sector 35.

This rotation of disc 30 stops as soon as lever 31 turning jointly with the said disc strikes against the only hammer 24 which was lowered within the continuous groove 18a, 18b, 180 etc. formed by the aligned discs 17a, 17b etc. Immediately thereafter, clamp 41 lowers on wheel 42, inserting itself between two contiguous teeth or discs of wheel 42, thus determining the stopping of the wheel 42 and the exact angular positioning of the symbol-holder disc 30.

Such an operating cycle takes place during a full rotation of shaft 2, by fully pressing on key a and releasing it prior to stud 5 or stop member arriving in contact or abutting correspondence with bar 7. Furthermore, cam 32 is timed in respect to stud 5, in such a way so that in completing a full rotation, sector 35 has been brought to its highest position, and is ready to carry out in the next cycle the active descent stage called for by spring 43.

It is easily understood that the stopping of the active descent motion of sector 35 and therefore the stopping of disc 30 is caused by lever 31 interfering with and abutting against the single lowered hammer 24 within the aligned grooves of the discs or wheels 17a, 17b set side by side. The combination between the hammers and their respective notches must have a certain play in such a way that friction should be reduced to a minimum, so that such a manouvre or operation be smooth and safe. On the other hand, however, angular positioning of disc 30 must be absolutely precise, because as it will easily be found further on, from this positioning depends the correct lining-up of the symbols written on the paper. It is the exact positioning of clamp 41 which inserts itself between two teeth on wheel 42 which teeth are timed correctly with respect to the symbols of disc 30, that determines a slight angular displacement of the disc in the direction opposite to that of arrow A, with the consequent right positioning of same. The same small angular displacement is transmitted also to lever 31 by backing off or going slightly away from the small hammer against which it stopped an instant before. The advantage of this is that friction in the raising movement of the small hammer in respect to lever 31 is eliminated.

Let us now suppose that we press on key 10b, leaving key 1011 free to return to its resting position. With the rotation of shaft 2, hammer 24 is lifted from the groove formed of notches 18a, 18b, etc. and therefore disc 17a effects a similar rotation, but in a direction opposite to the preceding one, caused by pressure on key 1011. This rotation is due to the elastic component or rod 13 which bent out of or got out of shape previously when key 24 remained in notch 18a, lined up with notches 18b, 180, while lever 16 keyed to disc 17b turned downward a certain angle corresponding to similar displacement of notch 18'b which comes beside notches 18'a, 18'c already lined up. Therefore, to the pressure of key 10b and to the consequent oscillation of wheel 25 corresponds the rising of hammer 24 and the lowering of hammer 24' into the continued groove formed of the notches 18'a and 18'b, 18's set side by side. Simultaneously to the rising of hammer 24 and of clamp 41 of the gear wheel 42, lowering of gear sector 35 is obtained, this being determined by the return of spring 43, and therefore there is a rotation of disc 30, limited by the interference of lever 31 against the only lowered hammer 24 which stops said rotation. At the end of the full revolution of shaft 2, clamp 41 sets in again between two contiguous teeth of wheel 42, thus causing the exact angular position of the symbol-holder disc 30, corresponding to the pressure of finger-key 1012.

In the meantime sector 35 resumed its highest posi- 6 tion, being thus ready to move or return downwardly at the start of next cycle.

Let us now suppose we press at the same time both keys 10a and 10b, starting from the previous position, corresponding to the position of small hammer 24 in the groove formed of lined up notches 18'a, 18b, 18'c etc. and to the lining up of notches 18"b, 18"c etc. Therefore when we press keys 10a, and 10b at the same time, it results in notch 18"a lining up with notch 18"b while notch 18"c is not subject to any displacement, because elastic component 13, previously put out of shape by pressing on key 10b, is now discharged just by lowering the said key 10b. Consequently, by lowering at the same time keys 10a and 10b, the result is that notches 18"a, 18"b, 18"c are all lined up, and the small hammer 24" is set into the continuous groove formed by these notches and consequently stops lever 31 which interferes against it with a consequent angular positioning of disc 30. Similarly with the operation of any of the single keys, and the operation of more keys at the same time, according to the number of possible combinations of them, there is a corresponding definite angular positioning of disc 30 and one of the symbols on it.

Referring to FIGURE 3, the disc '30 is axially moved or slid along the axis of shaft 20 as hereinafter described. On shaft 2 is a fixed cam in contact with a small roller 46 carried on one end of a rod or bar 47 fixed at the other end to a pivot member 48 secured to the base of the casing 1. Rod 47 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 49 to a lever 50 which has a bent end 51. A gearwheel 52 rotatahly secured by means of small shafts 53 onto the base of casing 1 and moves jointly with cam 54 to which it is secured. Another lever 55 is fulcrumed by means of pivot pin 56 to the casing 1 and has a bent end 57. Both bent parts 51 and 57 are of such a shape as to set in between and engage the teeth of wheel 52 and therefore during every oscillation of rods 47 and 50 due to rotation of cam 45, the bent end 51 drags the wheel 52 in the direction of arrows C in FIGURE 3 for one stroke, while during return of lever 50 the wheel remains clamped in position, this being due to the fact that the other bent end 57 acts as a brake. Therefore during the oscillations of levers 47 and 50 there is a corresponding unidirectional release motion from cam 54. Springs 59 and 60 well placed respectively between the pair of levers 47 and 50 and 47 and 55 ensure the contact between cam 45 and roller 46, as well as between the bent parts 51 and 57 and wheel 52.

The lever 61 provided with a stud or stop member 62 in contact with cam 54, is fulcrumed at one end by means of pivot 63 to casing 1. At the other end the lever 61 is provided with pin 64 inserted in groove 65 of pulley 66 which is fixed on shaft 20 and turn jointly with disc 30. Cam 54 has such a profile that for revolution of shaft 2, and therefore for each stroke of the cam 54 in the direction of arrow C, lever 61 and consequently disc 30 move one predetermined space, interval or constant stroke along shaft 20 in the direction of arrow D.

When disc 30 arrives at the stop end corresponding to the position of stud 62 in contact with edge 67 of cam 54, stud 62 runs rapidly along side 68 of cam 54 by means of spring 61', and therefore lever 61 returns rapidly in the direction opposite to that of arrow D, with the consequent displacement of the said disc 30 in the lefthand position as when starting to write. Therefore to a complete revoluton of cam 54 corresponds a full axial release movement of disc 30 in the direction of arrow D, and a rapid movement in the direction opposite to that of arrow D.

On shaft 2 is keyed cam 69 in contact with a small roller 70 (FIGURE 2) carried by a lever rectifier element 71 (FIGURE 2) fulcrumed to shaft 9 and fixed at one end to elongated prism 72. The other end of lever 71 is connected to spring 73 fixed to casing 1 and which maintains the contact between cam 69 and roller 70,

Each fork is part of a corresponding bar 74 ending by an edge formed of two diagonally inclined faces 74 and 74" which come rapidly into contact with faces 72' and 72" of prism 72 in the manner described hereunder (see FIGURES 4 and 5. When the operator presses one finger-key or the finger-keys in an irregular way, that is, not the full way down or too rapidly, prism 72 intervenes, by operating on bar or bars 74 corresponding to the finger-keys or the finger-key pressed, and shifting the bar or bars firmly in the lowered position, or back into the resting position. In fact, in order that a small hammer will penetrate into a groove formed of discs 17a, 17b etc. it is necessary that each fork 15 and consequently each disc should have a well determined position which is obtained as stated above, by positioning bars 74 up or down, during a cycle of the machine, or duing a revolution of shaft 2. Without this useful arrangement the symbol-holder disc 30 would not acquire an established angular position during the machine cycle. Therefore when the finger-keys are not properly pressed, and all the way down, but in such a way that face 74, as shown in FIGURE 4 corresponding to the keys, goes below prism 72, during the active motion of said prism caused by spring 73, face 72' presses against face 74 in a manner to decidedly lower bar 74 in the direction of arrow E, and accomplishes what the operator by mistake did not do.

Referring to FIGURE 5, when face 74" instead does not go under prism 72, face 72" of the prism presses during its active motion, against face 74" lifting bar 74 upwardly and in the direction opposite to that indicated by arrow E. With an incomplete, thus very small, pressure of each finger-key the operator causes the uplifting of bar 7 and consequent rotation of shaft 2 corresponding to a cycle of the machine, and then with a very slight pressure on any other finger-key, face 72" causes all bars 74 to raise, even those previously lowered due to pressure on the corresponding keys.

This uplifting of the bars is rendered practicable by the oscillation of wheel 25 and therefore by the uplifting of all the small hammers. Therefore, in the cycle determined by a slight pressure of any key or of several ones in such a manner that bars 74 are pushed upwards by face 72" of prism 72, a determined hammer enters into a groove formed by the notches of discs 17a, 171) etc. which are set side by side. This causes an angular positioning of disc 30.

As will be described hereinafter, immediately after the proper angular and axial positioning of symbol-holder disc 30, a specially inked, roller 76 on which is conveniently Wound the paper tangentially approaches disc '30 which presses against it in such a way that the symbol brought by the disc into correspondence or contact with roller 76 as shown in FIGURE 6 is reproduced on the paper.

The arrangement of the symbols on disc 30 can be selected in a manner such that the symbol corresponding to a voluntary slight pressure of any finger-key with the consequent uplifting of bar 74 by means of prism 72, can be one of the letters more commonly used in writing.

In writing, since the spacing between one word and the next one is very frequent the disc 30 can present a notch 75, as shown in FIGURE 7 instead of a raised symbol in the tangential position adjacent roller 76 which can correspond to an intentional slight pressure ap plied to the keys as described above, so such notch would serve to create the proper spacing between the written Words.

On casing 1 are fixed two parallel studs 1' as shown in FIGURE 2, between which are disposed all the bars 74. When pressing the keys, these bars, by the interposition of elastic rods 13 have a limited shifting distance or space due to the interference with studs 1'. This is necessary to make discs 17a, 17b provide constant angular shiftings in a way that at every operation of the keys there will always be a hammer 24, 24', 24" etc. which enters into a groove formed by the notches of the discs which are set side by side. The amplitude of the angular oscillation of prism 72 is such that the bars eventually lowered or uplifted by the prism are made to rest against studs 1'.

As a mere example and without this limiting the extent of the invention the number of keys selected is five. The possible number of combinations of the five keys, two by two, three by three, four by four, and of the five at the same time is twenty-six. Therefore with five fingerkeys, the number of symbols marked on disc 30 including also notch 75 is thirty-two, which is equal to the total number of finger-keys, added to the number of possible combinations mentioned above, plus one, which corresponds to the slight pressure on any key so as to execute one cycle without having practically any angular shifting of discs 17a, 17b etc. Therefore even the number of hammers 24, 24 etc. around discs 17a, 17b etc. is thirty-two.

In the practical realization of what is described above and given only as an example, the movement of discs 17a, 17b, 170 etc. around shaft 20 is carried out by means of the levers 16, extending into the discs. Because of these levers 16, the hammers 24 placed immediately on both sides of a lever 16, must be spaced angula-rly in such a manner that during angular shifting of the levers 16, they will not interfere with the two hammers adjacent a lever 16 are therefore spaced by larger angle apart than that existing between the other hammers. Since there are as many hammers as symbols carried by disc 30, and the hammers are spaced the same angle apart as the symbols, on the same disc 30 there will be a part of the circumference without symbols subtended by the same angle corresponding to the two hammers placed at opposite sides of levers16. Since in our case the hammers and therefore the symbols are thirty-two, consequently the intermediate angle mentioned above is less than of a revolution.

If the movement of discs 17a, 17b, 17c etc. instead of being control-led by levers 16 placed radially, was controlled by means or members not shown in the figures, and operating in the axial direction, that is parallel to shaft 20, the thirty-two hammers 25, 25', 25" etc. could be placed all around the discs themselves, and angularly, at an equal distance one from the other, without any discontinuity in spacing between them. Similarly, the symbols marked on disc 30 in a number equal to that of the hammers, would be spaced by equal angles between them and by those existing between each hammer. This angle would be equal to of a revolution.

Another embodiment or equivalent solution as shown in FIGURE 8, is applied in the case in which discs 17a, 17b etc. would be moved by the radial levers 16. In that case the hammers 24, 24' etc. ready to enter into the grooves formed of notches of discs 17a, 17b etc. are as many as the symbols of disc 3d, less one. This solution is materialized by lever 77 fulcrumed to casing 1 by means of a stud 78, one end of which terminates the bent part 79 placed under forks 15 while at its other end is fitted lever 80 which has on its end in turn a hammer 81 which can interfere with lever 31. On lever 77 operates a spring (not shown in the figure) which tends to push the levers upwardly. Therefore when one or more keys are slightly pressed at the same time and in a manner such that prism 72 lifts bars 74, lever 77 pressed by the spring follows the upward movement of bars 74 and consequently of forks 15 turning around pivot 78.

The hammer 81 is thus in such a position as to interfere with lever 31 against which it stops; in fact by this operation, discs 17a, 17b etc. are not shifted by the fingerkeys but only those positioned by the preceding operation return by means of the elastic rods 13 and they are therefore in their single relative position corresponding to the interference of hammer 81 of lever 31.

To this position of lever 31 may correspond for example the condition for which notch 75 of disc 30 is in contact with the paper roller 76, and in this case with this operation, a spacing would be executed. Therefore hammer 81 is in such a position as to interfere with lever 31 only when all the forks 15 are in the raised position. In this position of forks 15 of discs 17 there exists no continuous groove formed by notches set side by side. Also in this case all the hammers 24, 24', 24", etc. and 81 are equally spaced between them by a certain angle or space equal to that existing between the various symbols of disc 30.

Roller 76 (FIGURES 6 and 7) on which is wound up paper 82 is fixed on lever 83 shown in FIGURE 1 and keyed to lever 84 (FIGURE 1), hinged to casing 1 by means of pivot pin 85. Connecting rod 86 (FIGURE 1) is fixed at one end to pivot pin 87 which is fitted in turn to lever 84 and rod 86 is hinged at its other end to lever 86' provided with a bearing roller 88 in contact with cam 89 keyed onto shaft 2. Lever 86' is pivoted on shaft 9 in a manner such that, operated by cam 89, it oscillates around shaft 9 and transmits motion through the connecting rod 86 to lever 84 which thus oscillates around pivot 85. A spring, not shown in the figure, causes the paper carrying roller 76 to approach symbol-holder disc 30 and thus the symbol writing, and consequently cam 89 brings the paper carrying roller back to the position away from the symbol-holder disc.

Lever 83 is operating jointly to pivot 90 resting on the inclined part 91 of support 92 fixed to casing 1. To the same lever 76 is fiitted a second roller 93 on which is wound paper 82. Under both rollers 76 and 93 are respectively the two rollers 94 and 95 connected to casing 1. Paper 82 supplied for instance by a feeder (not shown in the figure) winds up around rollers 94, 76, 93 and 95. Finally, roller 96, pressed against roller 95 serves to guarantee the adherence of the paper against roller 95. Cam 89 is timed with respect to the other members of the machine, so that as soon as symbol-holder disc 30 which is positioned both angularly and axially, causes lever 84 to oscillate around stud 85, in shifting the said lever 84 towards disc 30, the unit formed by rollers 76 and 93 participates in this movement, so that the paper approaches and presses against the disc, as illustrated in FIGURE 6.

In this position after disc 30 has been conveniently inked, on the paper 82 is printed the symbol marked 98 corresponding to that borne by the said disc. Afterwards, lever 84 is shifted in the opposite direction and thus rollers 76 and 93 are placed when oscillation is over, in the position of FIGURE 7. This position is assumed for the simultaneous movement of lever 83 around pivot 85 and along the inclined plane 91. In the position of FIGURE 7 reached prior to the starting of a second cycle of the machine, symbol 98, imprinted on the paper through the last operation of the keys, has been shifted with respect to roller 76. Symbol 98 shifted in this manner, as shown in FIGURE 7, can be read through opening 99 of cover 100 which is adapted to casing 1 and encloses the whole type-writing machine.

With the said relative shifting between paper 82 and roller 76, there is the advantage that the operator can control each symbol by and by as it is written, and opening 99 is largely sufficient to allow reading some lines of the signs previously typed.

During the following cycle, after positioning of disc 30, roller 76 again approaches the latter and again causes the paper 82 to shift with respect to the said disc by the same distance as previously, as shown on FIGURE 6. It is, however, understood that disc 30 moves away along shaft 20 of one spacing from sign 98 previously typed, and thus a new sign is impressed next to sign 98, after which, that described above is again repeated. After every line thus written, while stud 62 moves along wall 68, there is a corresponding rapid return of disc 30 in the direction opposite to that indicated by arrow C.

At this point before the new cycle starts, roller revolves, by means not described herein, a certain angle, so that a corresponding quantity of paper is caused to be fed outwardly or come forward, an equal distance between the typed lines. Corresponding to the keys 10a, 10b, etc., the cover shows an opening 101 thereas to make it possible to use the keys with the fingers. Since the fingers of one hand only are preferably used, cover shows next to opening 101, two imprints 102 on which the thumb of either the right or left hand can easily rest.

Further, each key, as shown in the figures, has a certain special position so as to suit both the natural shape of the hand and the different length of the fingers; in fact the keys are set side by side in such a way that the centres of the surface of each one of them are on a bent line and are placed, with respect to a horizontal plane, at different heights with the central ones deeper than the lateral ones. It is thus easy to recognize each single key only by touching it, without having to check by sight, and this allows the operator to place the hand correctly.

In FIGURE 10 are shown the symbols (letters, numbers, etc.) marked on disc 30 and, in correspondence with these, keys 10a, 10b, etc., the dark ones represent the pressed keys and the white ones the keys in stopping position. For example, in the type-writing machine of the invention, 25 letters, five numbers and one dash are marked on disc 30. As it has been described above, all these symbols are typewritten by pressing each key down all the way either singly or according to combinations, two by two, three by three, four by four and five at the same time, as shown in FIGURE 10. The spacing sign, as it has been described above, is obtained by pressing very slightly any key, by itself, or more than one at the same time. The graph of letters 0, b, l, q, s has been selected in such a way that these could be used also to typewrite respectively numbers 0, 6, 1, 9, 5. This useful arrangement has been adopted to reduce the number of symbols on disc 30 and consequently the finger-keys to handle, without compromising a satisfactory clarity in type-writing.

Further modifications can be brought to the particulars of the invention without exceeding the limits of the said invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A type-writing machine comprising a movable symbol holder means comprising a disc with a plurality of symbols on it for printing an individual symbol on a paper, stopping means for stopping the symbol on the holder means to be printed on the paper at a predetermined position, selector component means for selecting the symbol to be printed, and key means comprising a plurality of finger keys for operating said selector means to select a predetermined symbol and for operating said stopping means to move the symbol holder means to a predetermined position, said stopping means including stopping elements, said holder means comprising a lever which abuts against said elements, rotation means comprising a cam and a gear sector, said cam causing the gear sector to turn in one direction, said sector being pulled in an opposite direction by a spring, a pinion which is geared with said sector being connected to said disc by a unidirectional clutch so as to transmit motion to said disc only when the pinion is driven by said spring.

2. A type-writing machine comprising a movable symbol holder means with a plurality of symbols on it for printing an individual symbol on a paper, stopping means for stopping the symbol on the holder means to be printed on the paper at a predetermined position, selector component means for selecting the symbol to be printed, and key means comprising a plurality of finger keys for operating said selector means to select a predetermined symbol and operating said stopping means to move the symbol holder means to a predetermined position, said selector means comprising disc-shaped elements mounted idly on a shaft with alternating notches and projections on their circumferences disposed so that for operation of a single key and various combinations of keys there is only one series of notches of said disc elements that are in alignment to form a continuous groove, said stopping means including stopping elements engageable in said continuous grooves and said holder means comprising a lever which abuts against said stopping elements, a drive shaft rotated by operation of any of said keys, an oscillating member connected to said drive shaft and caused to oscillate by rotation of said drive shaft, said oscillating member being operatively connected to said stopping elements and adapted to disengage respective stopping elements from said continuous grooves when oscillated by said drive shaft, a gearwheel keyed onto said shaft which carries said disc elements, said gearwheel having as many teeth as the number of symbols on said symbol holder, a clamp operated by said drive shaft and engageable with the teeth on said gearwheel, said drive shaft actuating said clamp so as to disengage said clamp from said gearwheel simultaneously with disengagement of said stopping elements from said grooves.

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein said clamp is actuated to disengage said gearwheel by a cam keyed on said drive shaft, and said clamp is actuated to engage said gearwheel by action of a spring connected to said clamp.

4. A type-writing machine comprising a movable symbol holder means with a plurality of symbols on it for printing an individual symbol on a paper, stopping means for stopping the symbol on the holder means to be printed on the paper at a predetermined position, selector component means for selecting the symbol to be printed, and key means including a plurality of finger keys for operating said selector means to select a predetermined symbol and operating said stopping means to move the symbol holder means to a predetermined position, said selector means comprising disc-shaped elements mounted idly on a shaft with alternating notches and projections on their circumferences and disposed so that for operation of a single key or various combinations thereof, there is only one series of notches of said disc elements that are brought into alignment to form a continuous groove, said stopping means including stopping elements engagable in said continuous grooves, said holder means including a lever which abuts against said stopping elements and also comprising a disc fixed to said shaft, said disc comprising a number of symbols equal to the number of said stopping elements, said symbols being disposed at angles to each other which are equal to the angles between said stopping elements, a drive shaft rotated by operation of any of said keys, an oscillatory member connected to said drive shaft and caused to oscillate by rotation of said drive shaft, said oscillatory member being operatively connected to said stopping elements and adapted to disengage respective stopping elements from within said continuous grooves when oscillated by said drive shaft, a rectifier element driven by said drive shaft which, in reaction to an incomplete operation of a key, causes the disc elements to perform a complete angular movement corresponding to the operated key if said disc elements have at least been caused to move past a certain point by said incomplete operation of a key, said rectifier element causing the disc elements to return to their previous resting position if said disc elements have not been caused to move past said certain point by said incomplete operation of a key.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein said rectifier element is driven by a cam keyed to said drive shaft and comprises a double-face prism, each face thereof being operatively associated with means which are associated with said disc elements and which cause movement of said disc elements.

6. A type-writing machine comprising amova'ble symbol holder disc with a plurality of symbols circumferentially disposed therein for printing an individual symbol on a paper, said disc being fixedly mounted on a disc holder shaft for rotation therewith, shopping means for stopping the symbol disc at a predetermined position to print a desired symbol on a paper, selector component means for selecting the symbol to be printed, and key means comprising a plurality of finger keys for operating said selector means to select a predetermined symbol and for operating said stopping means to permit movement of the symbol holder disc to a predetermined position, said selector means comprising disc-shaped elements mounted idly on said disc holder shaft with alternating notches and projections on their circumferences disposed so that for operation of any single key or various combinations of keys there is only one series of notches of said disc elements that are in alignment to form a continuous groove, said stopping means including stopping elements equal in number to said symbols and disposed about the circumference of said disc-shaped elements, the angular displacement between respective stopping elements being equal to the angular displacement between respective symbols in said symbol disc, said stopping elements being engageable in said continuous grooves, and said holder means comprising a lever which is fixed to said shaft and which is adapted to abut respective ones of said stopping elements, a drive shaft rotated by operation of any of said keys, an oscillating member connected to said drive shaft and caused to oscillate by rotation of said drive shaft, said oscillating member being operatively connected to said stopping elements and adapted, when oscillated by said drive shaft, to disengage respective stopping elements from said continuous grooves, said symbol disc being operatively connected to said drive shaft by rotation means so that for revolution of said drive shaft there is corresponding rotation of said symbol disc, rotation of said symbol disc being interrupted when said lever abuts against a one of said stopping elements, said rotation means comprising a cam and a gear sector, said cam causing the gear sector to turn in one direction, said sector being pulled in an opposite direction by a spring, a pinion which is geared With said sector being connected to said symbol disc by a uni-directional clutch so as to transmit motion to said symbol disc only when the pinion is driven by said spring.

7. The type-writing machine of claim 6, including a gearwheel keyed onto said disc holder shaft, said gearwheel having as many teeth as the number of symbols on said symbol disc, a clamp operated by said drive shaft and engageable with the teeth on said gearwheel when said lever is in abutting engagement with a one of said stopping elements, said drive shaft actuating said clamp so as to disengage said clamp from said gearwheel simultaneously with disengagement of said stopping elements from said grooves.

8. The machine of claim 7, wherein said clamp is actuated to disengage said gearwheel by a cam keyed on said drive shaft, and said clamp is actuated to engage said gearwheel by action of a spring connected to said clamp.

9. The machine of claim 7, wherein each finger key actuates a clutch which connects said drive shaft with a continuously revolving motor-driven wheel so that operation and release of any key causes said clutch to drive said drive shaft for at least one complete revolution of said drive shaft.

10. The machine of claim 9, including a rectifier element driven by said drive shaft which, in reaction to an incomplete operation of a key, causes the disc elements to perform a complete angular movement corresponding to the operated key if said disc elements have at least been caused to move past a certain point by said incomplete operation of a key, said rectifier element causing the disc elements to return to their previous 865,459 9/07 Vidal 197-99 resting position if said disc elements have not been 1,220,844 3/17 Hiltz 197-48 caused to move past said ceitain point by said incomplete 1,832,160 11/31 Vischer 197-48 X operation of a key. 2,375,526 5/45 Colombo 197-11 11. The machine of claim 10, wherein said rectifier 5 2,590,421 3/52 Lanza 178-25 X element is driven by a cam keyed to said drive shaft 2,773,931 12/56 Kleinschmidt 178-17 X and comprises a double-face prism, each face thereof 2,897,941 8/59 Dodge 197-17 being operatively associated with means which are as 2,926,216 2/60 Alexander 178-23 sociated with said disc elements and which cause movement of said disc elements. 10 FOREIGN PATENTS 610,831 9 26 F References Cited by the Examiner rance UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

590,207 9/97 Carmona 197-11 

1. A TYPE-WRITING MACHINE COMPRISING A MOVABLE SYMBOL HOLDER MEANS COMPRISING A DISC WITH A PLURALITY OF SYMBOLS ON IT FOR PRINTING AN INDIVIDUAL SYMBOL ON A PAPER, STOPPING MEANS FOR STOPPING THE SYMBOL ON THE HOLDER MEANS TO BE PRINTED ON THE PAPER AT A PREDETERMINED POSITION, SELECTOR COMPONENT MEANS FOR SELECTING THE SYMBOL TO BE PRINTED, AND KEY MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FINGER KEYS FOR OPERATING SAID SELECTOR MEANS TO SELECT A PREDETERMINED SYMBOL AND FOR OPERATING SAID STOPPING MEANS TO MOVE THE SYMBOL HOLDER MEANS TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION, SAID STOPPING MEANS INCLUDING STOPPING ELEMENTS, SAID HOLDER MEANS COMPRISING A LEVER WHICH ABUTS AGAINST SAID ELEMENTS, ROTATION MEANS COMPRISING A CAM AND A GEAR SECTOR, SAID CAM CAUSING THE GEAR SECTOR TO TURN IN ONE DIRECTION, SAID SECTOR BEING PULLED IN AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION BY A SPRING, A PINION WHICH IS GEARED WITH SAID SECTOR BEING CONNECTED TO SAID DISC BY A UNIDIRECTIONAL CLUTCH SO AS TO TRANSMIT MOTION TO SAID DISC ONLY WHEN THE PINION IS DRIVEN BY SAID SPRING. 